Thursday Tea: The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
This month I'm participating in the Lord of the Rings Readalong, which is starting with The Hobbit (by J. R. R. Tolkien, if you didn't know). Eva from A Striped Armchair is our host this month.
I have read and reread all four books many times since I discovered Bilbo's tale in, oh, I'm going to guess 1966 or 1967. I've opted to listen to the complete and unabridged audio of The Hobbit for this reread. This is my first experience with the audio, and it is fabulous. I love hearing the songs sung and the poems recited (I admit to skimming over them in novels) and to learning once again how Bilbo found the famous ring and helped the dwarves outsmart a cunning dragon.
The Tea. I'm drinking Harney & Son's Holiday Tea. Thank you to Julie from Booking Mama for suggesting this one. Oh my, this is good, and I'm so glad I decided to buy a small tin. Here's the description: "Black tea spiced with citrus, almond, clove and cinnamon. Delicious hot or iced. Wonderful for a holiday table, a cold winter morning, or any time you crave a holiday-inspired brew." The aroma is heavenly, and I love this tea.
The Assessment. Hobbits are absolutely tea drinkers, and they love the cakes and loaves that make teatime a delight. But I bet Bilbo isn't drinking this wonderful blend, especially in Mirkwood, which he's just about to enter. Maybe he got a cup or two before he left the elves in Rivendell. Holiday Tea seems an elvish sort of drink.
What's on your reading list this week? Do you ever reread books? And what's in that mug or glass?
Thursday Tea is hosted by Anastasia at Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog. Here's how it works: Tell us what tea you are drinking (and if you like it). And then tell us what book are you reading (and if you like it). Finally, tell us if they go together.
Source: Borrowed (see review policy).
FTC: I buy all teas myself, I am not a tea reviewer.
25 comments:
Any time I read about Hobbits, I suddenly feel the urge to drink a ton of tea and eat all the time. hehe
I'm so glad the audio version is enjoyable, and I'm even more glad my library has it. ;)
My library has it too! I am contemplating borrowing it and listening to it soon even though I will only just have finished reading the book tomorrow.
I will be listening to the hobbit over the next 2 months as I teach the unit to my 7th graders. I am very excited!
While I have learned to absolutely love Bilbo and the gang of dwarves, I am very much intimidated by the LOTR trilogy. I look forward to following your read-along, and perhaps I will gain confidence to try them myself.
The tea sounds fabulous and I am going to check out the link right away!
I'm loving my holiday tea too -- thanks for the shout out. I'm forever grateful to you for the Candy Cane tea recommendation!
I wonder if we can score some holiday tea discounted after the holidays at B&N????
You and Julie need to start a tea club! The tea does sound delicious.
I love your Thursday tea posts. I tend to get stuck on the same tea for a long time (right now it's Salada's Spiced Chai Green Tea) and you always make me want to go out and try some others.
Uhhh...excuse me? I hope that is herbal tea you're drinking!!! I suffered yesterday with the awful herbal tea Panera was selling, versus some really nice-looking black tea. I was surprised to hear that Hobbits drank tea. I thought they drank beer!
When ever I read Lord of the Rings I feel a strong urge to large quantities of tea with "second breakfast"
And as always your tea sounds yummy!
My family and I listened to The Hobbit and The unabridged version of "Lord of the Rings" when we visited Yellowstone Year. It was nice listening to it and hearing the songs sung. It was a long trip in the car and listening to the story filled the hours pleasantly.
Beth hello-sounds perfect. I am drinking Gypsey Zen Earl Grey Tea- (not that impressed for the price) stick with Twinnings and last night started reading The Smart and PRetty One-I am also reading The Swan Thieves-but my brain is on overload with stuff-so I needed some fluff.
I was never one for re-reading books because there is so much that I want to read in the first place, but I have started revisiting some of my keepers last year and hope to do more of that this year.
I was never one for re-reading books because there is so much that I want to read in the first place, but I have started revisiting some of my keepers last year and hope to do more of that this year.
Don't be taking Bilbo up on any sweet cakes if he offers any! I'm sure they're not #gameondiet approved.
Sounds like a great one to listen to. I admit to doing a little skimming when reading it in print, too.
This Tea sounds lovely ;0)
I'm drinking Twinings Chai this evening, and reading a National Trust Book - A Herbal ;0)
I'm reading your post, glancing outside at the snow fall on our already 20+ inches of snow, and deciding it's time to quit blog hopping long enough to brew some tea :)
I re-read a lot, but not quite as much as after I began blogging.
I might re-read The Hobbit, though, as it is such a gem.
I am reading five-star Swedish crime, and quite soon I am going to find a good-night beer to enjoy with it.
The tea sounds wonderful and a perfect accompaniment for reading The Hobbit. :-)
I have to get started on this too. And the tea sounds lovely, Beth!
I have read all four books only once so far and even though I loved all of them I feel like there are so many books still waiting to be read that I can't afford any rereads for now.
However, you have given me a great idea and I think I will listen to them this time.
I loved The Hobbit so much more than The Lord of the Rings!!
But seeing Bilbo's name reminds me of the National Lampoon version -- Bored of the Rings. I remember reading it when I was young ... Frodo's name was Frito and Bilbo's was Bilbo Bugger. I didn't totally "get" this at the time.
I've read all the Lord of the Rings books, but never got around to reading the hobbit, even though I've heard it's better. Your post reminded me about it, so it's going onto my to read list!
Also, I definitely did the same thing with skimming through the poems/songs when I was reading it. Maybe I should give the audio books a try!
Oh, I too love The Hobbit, down to everyone of their furry toes.
I also have several new teas here at Casa da Caite, ones I got for Christmas, that I need to try out.
BTW, I love the cover on that edition of The Hobbit.
Great idea to listen - it really makes the songs and poetry come alive, I would think. I needed to read the text this time but maybe on another round, I will try an audio. that said, I want you to know that I thank you for tweeting abt this because it inspired me to check out the audio for A Wrinkle in Time and I'm SO GLAD I did! :)
I loved the LOTR series, and can't wait to start this book next week!
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